Algarve 2013 / Sagres Birdwatching Festival 2014 (1 Viewer)

[Mick Sway]

Unfortunately our arrival for our Algarvian annual pilgrimage always arrives a little too late for the Annual Birdwatching Festival at Sagres. For those undecided on a relatively easy Autumn Birding Holiday, they could do worse than try the Western Algarve in October.
The festival this year runs from 2 - 5 October, see here.
I always like to give the economy of our Portugese friends a bit of a plug, so
I thought I'd post a few images from our visit last year, in the hope that the prospect of some Portugese October sunshine, might tempt someone.
Raptor Migration.
There's a huge raptor migration over the Sagres peninsula during late September and early October. The large wind farm near bye is therefore a major cause of concern. However the power company employs a team of environmentalists to monitor the raptor movements during the peak migration period, during which flocks of thousands of griffon vultures may pass over [amongst which there can also be several other species].
On the occasions when the team picks this up on their radar equipment, they message the raptor movement to the wind farm, who in turn, switch off the turbines until the passage is complete.

 

[Mick Sway]

Griffon Vultures

Some Images of the Griffon vulture passage from October 2013

 

[Paul Chapman]

A friend and I should be in Sagres between 14th and 20th September (though I won't be there until 16th).

Only been an idea for a week or so as a result of which no real scoping done yet on the relevant sites in the area. I'll aim to do a thread to cover it.

All the best

 

[Simon Wates]

Nice one Mick - very soon I will also start a thread like last year with ongoing sightings.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=266202

By the way - I've been working some with the "raptor team" these last days - now there is no need for them to call the wind park when raptors could potentially be harmed - they have a tablet and can turn off any number of turbines on or off as and when necessary. The last days only Black Kite in any numbers - its early yet for Sagres . migrant passerines building up though and some good seawatching.

 

[Mick Sway]

Sagres Migration

Nice one Mick - very soon I will also start a thread like last year with ongoing sightings.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=266202

By the way - I've been working some with the "raptor team" these last days - now there is no need for them to call the wind park when raptors could potentially be harmed - they have a tablet and can turn off any number of turbines on or off as and when necessary. The last days only Black Kite in any numbers - its early yet for Sagres . migrant passerines building up though and some good seawatching.

Great news about the new system Simon, I hope it hasn't affected deployment of the Raptor Team regulars.
It always amazes us both how you guys are able to correctly ID incoming raptors, when they are only the tiniest speck on the horizon.
It is a credit to you as a professional guide, how freely you share this
information to other visitors on the hill.
Tina and I very much look forward to seeing you, Martin and the raptor team again in October.
:t:

Sagres Birdwatching Festival Promotional Video here

 

[Mick Sway]

Sagres Birdwatching

A friend and I should be in Sagres between 14th and 20th September (though I won't be there until 16th).

Only been an idea for a week or so as a result of which no real scoping done yet on the relevant sites in the area. I'll aim to do a thread to cover it.

All the best

Paul
in case it is of some interest, there's some useful information here:
http://vimeo.com/65374394
and here:
http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/WARNOCK_Portugal_09_2013.pdf

Good luck:t:

 

[Paul Chapman]

Paul
in case it is of some interest, there's some useful information here:
http://vimeo.com/65374394
and here:
http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/WARNOCK_Portugal_09_2013.pdf

Good luck:t:

Mick

Very many thanks indeed. We're looking forward to having a bit of a potter around to see if we can bump into a few things.

All the best

 

[Mick Sway]

Sagres Raptors 2013 continued.

A few more record shots of Sagres 2013 Raptors below.
The jury's still out on the bird in photos 1 {upper right} and 2, as to whether it's a long legged or an Atlas long legged buzzard. Either way a very good record for the Algarve.
It was circling high over Cabranosa on 13th October, just as we arrived at the hill, having been seen there breifly, earlier that week.

 

[Mick Sway]

Sagres Raptors 2013 continued.

More raptors from Sagres.
I am led to believe that the majority of sparrowhawks seen on the peninsula through October
are migrating birds.

 

[Mick Sway]

Sagres Raptors 2013 continued.

Raptors continued
Probably one of the best places in Europe to see Bonelli's eagle.

 

[Mick Sway]

More raptors

A small number of black winged kites winter in the western Algarve.

 

[TJW]

Will be visiting Sagres (and indeed Portugal) for the first time in the 2nd week in October - as a bit of a pick me up after doing a stint in Raptorcamp Malta the week before. Looking forward to some sun, sea, sardines, and birds in a bit more relaxing environment! Hope to hook up with some regulars while we are there.

Terry

 

[Mick Sway]

Sagres Birds 2013

Will be visiting Sagres (and indeed Portugal) for the first time in the 2nd week in October ....

Terry

We should be around then too.
More birds from last years visit...
I wouldn't say that little bustards are easy on the peninsula as for many years they were a real bogey bird, however last year we connected many times although mostly small flocks in flight above the moorland.
Although they are almost impossible to locate once they have landed amongst the scrub, we did find half a dozen near the road on 15th October, always an exciting welcome sight.

 

[Mick Sway]

More October 2013 Algarve Birds.

The grey phalerope on 9th October, was a very welcome sight.:t:

 

[Mick Sway]

Algarve 2013

Typical Sagres migrants:

 

[Mick Sway]

Algarve 2013 - Foia

Foia radio masts:
Here you can tick a few specialist species, including rock bunting and darford warbler, sadly plenty of fleeting views in 2013 on the latter, but no photo ops.
A great place to have coffee and cake, whilst taking in the views across the whole Algarvian plain.

 

[Mick Sway]

Algarve 2013 - Foia butterflies

You may also see some nice butterfly species whilst up there.

 

[CactusD]

Hi Mick - nice one, esp. the raptors, and the TTPasha butterfly. The last butterfly here is in fact not a Long-tailed Blue, but a Lang's Short-tailed Blue (quite heavily worn). Long-tailed is stripy, Lang's is blotchy.

 

[Mick Sway]

Algarve Butterflies

Hi Mick - nice one, esp. the raptors, and the TTPasha butterfly. The last butterfly here is in fact not a Long-tailed Blue, but a Lang's Short-tailed Blue (quite heavily worn). Long-tailed is stripy, Lang's is blotchy.

Many thanks for the correction there Dave, I really ought to have picked up on that one.:t:

 

[Mick Sway]

Algarve insects

Always something interesting to see.
Thanks to Martin Hodges for showing us the hawk moth caterpillar above and the for shouldering the mirid bug below.